As a seasoned actress with a rich and varied career spanning over two decades, I’ve had my fair share of unforgettable experiences on set. But among them all, there are a few that stand out as truly extraordinary, and one of those is undoubtedly working on Cloud Atlas.
[This story does not contain major spoilers for Never Let Go.]
Upon receiving the script for “Never Let Go,” Oscar winner Halle Berry found strong similarities to when she first read the unproduced screenplay for “A Quiet Place.” Both stories revolve around families living in near-silence due to terrifying creatures with acute hearing. In this survival horror-thriller directed by Alexandre Aja, a single mother and her two fraternal twin sons must remain tethered within their rural Tennessee cabin by a limited amount of rope to avoid evil obstacles. Impressed by the intriguing premise, Halle Berry insisted on producing the film alongside her partner in production (and former agent) Holly Jeter at HalleHolly.
In the story we’ve been discussing, the mentioned rope, often thought of as a “lifeline,” serves to shield Berry’s character, referred to as “Momma,” and her 10-year-old sons, Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) and Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins), from an unseen malevolent presence that Momma alone can perceive. As time passes, Nolan becomes uncertain about his mother’s sanity, causing a rift within their household since Samuel frequently supports Momma. Consequently, Berry understood that the key to Never Let Go‘s success relied on discovering two young actors capable of carrying substantial portions of the film independently.
Berry explains to The Hollywood Reporter that it was crucial to discover the ideal pair of boys at the appropriate age who could manage such a task. Finding them proved to be quite challenging, he adds, as this was the producer in him striving to craft a compelling narrative.
One particularly touching (and surprising) moment in “Never Let Go” revolves around the family pet, Koda. Given that Berry often cares for two dogs and has collaborated extensively with a total of five Belgian Malinois dogs in “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” (2019), it was Berry, alongside her two youthful co-actors and dog-focused director, who repeatedly postponed the intricate scene.
The second-to-last shooting day approached, as everyone dreaded the difficult scene ahead. We knew how challenging it would be, and whenever Alex suggested it, we’d respond with ‘We’re not prepared yet.’ It was a tough concept for the cast to grasp, and my character found it equally hard to authentically portray that struggle. That day, when we finally had to film it, was particularly difficult.
As a dedicated fan, I found myself deeply engrossed in “John Wick: Chapter 3”. In this thrilling installment, Keanu Reeves’ character, the renowned assassin John Wick, received assistance from Sofia – an assassin who adores dogs and owes her life to him. This help came about because years earlier, John had saved Sofia’s daughter and hidden her away in safety.
Indeed, I was hoping the [storyline] would unfold in John Wick: Chapter 4, but it didn’t go that way. I found that idea intriguing. We did discuss it, certainly. In fact, we even planted seeds for it in John Wick: Chapter 3. There’s been talk of a spin-off with Lionsgate, and it could possibly materialize at some point. However, it needs to happen sooner rather than later. But who knows? Maybe that universe will continue, as I adore John Wick and his character.
Through films like “Never Let Go” and “John Wick”, Berry consistently takes on diverse characters spanning various genres. Despite having an Oscar already in her possession, she remains open to new opportunities, acknowledging that there are still doors waiting for her to walk through.
In my experience as a Black woman in the film industry, I’ve never been able to simply focus on delivering Oscar-caliber performances and films. The concept is unfamiliar to me because of the restricted choices I often face. My options can be quite limited, and that’s just how it has been and continues to be,” Berry candidly states. “Therefore, I don’t have the privilege to casually wait for movies that generate Oscar buzz. That hasn’t been my experience, and it isn’t now.
Below, during a recent conversation with THR, Berry also dives into the many different interpretations of Never Let Go.
As a gamer, when I first encountered the unique premise of Never Let Go – about a single mom and her twin boys living in a secluded cabin, only able to leave if they’re tethered together by a rope – I was immediately intrigued. The unconventional storytelling approach piqued my curiosity and made me eager to explore the emotional journey that awaited within this game.
I found myself utterly captivated by “Never Let Go”. Reading it was reminiscent of my first time with “A Quiet Place“, which I read prior to its adaptation, leaving me thinking, “This is extraordinary! I can’t wait to see this movie.” In the same vein, “Never Let Go” sparked my curiosity. I found myself asking question after question as I read, and upon finishing it, I felt compelled to say, “I must bring this story to life on screen. I have to make it happen.
In the movie, you’ve skillfully shone the limelight on the talented duo, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins, and it seems that your focus on storytelling, as a producer, played a significant role in this.
Yes.
Was that all part of the appeal for you?
Indeed, that situation presented quite a challenge. To bring those two on-screen talents to life convincingly as siblings who’d grown up in the wilderness, I had to carefully select two young actors with the right combination of talent and age. The visual similarity was also crucial, as they needed to appear like fraternal twins. Navigating all these requirements was tricky, but as a producer, my goal was simply to tell an engaging story. As an actress, I was drawn to this character because she represents a unique take on motherhood, with her darkness and complexity. Ultimately, the focus was on nurturing these young talents and the narrative itself, aiming to create the best possible adaptation of the story.
What particular theme from the movie “Never Let Go” resonated with you the most? It’s a film that invites diverse perspectives, and I’ve found myself reconsidering mine multiple times.
The film explores the concept of generational trauma, symbolically depicted through various metaphors. As a mother, I refer to it as “filling and leaking.” We fill our children with wonderful things, but we also leak a lot of negative experiences. These negatives can stem from our own anxieties, mental issues, self-imposed limitations, and deeply held beliefs. Sometimes, these leaks can restrict our children’s growth, which is what intrigued me the most. As a mother, I understand that I am unintentionally leaking some negative influences onto my children because it’s an inevitable part of parenting. However, I have made a conscious effort to fill them with more positivity than negativity, and that’s why delving into this topic through the movie was captivating for me.
I explained the premise to an actor recently, and then she asked me if it was set in space. I laughed at first, but then I realized that the question wasn’t too far-fetched. This family is confined to a small space where they have to ration food, and if they want to venture outside, they have to be tethered like astronauts or else they’ll die. Has anyone brought up the space metaphor to you yet?
Instead of suggesting it’s outer space, they have pointed out that the movie seems to depict an alternate reality. They didn’t specify a location, but they implied it wasn’t genuine, similar to the Matrix. It didn’t actually occur. There wouldn’t be a follow-up, but if there were, they believed we would find out that everything was staged.
When Momma tells Nolan that he’ll eventually fit into his over-sized boots, it seems as if those boots carry the awkward appearance similar to astronaut boots.
To me, that’s what makes the movie so captivating – it offers a unique interpretation for each viewer. Its meaning is shaped by individual experiences, upbringing, and personal perspectives. It can signify different things to different people, making it an intriguing exploration and the enjoyable part of the experience.
As a huge fan, I can’t help but notice how your perspective seems to have shifted when it comes to acting roles like “Never Let Go.” Now that you’ve sat in the director’s chair yourself, do you find yourself paying closer attention to the intricacies and nuances that come with directing?
Absolutely, it’s been quite an enlightening experience. Directing my own film, “Bruised,” has given me a deeper insight into movie-making. Despite my three decades of experience in the industry, I didn’t truly grasp the complexities of film production until I stepped into the director’s chair and had to make every call, from major decisions to minor details, all while managing budgets and schedules. This newfound understanding has allowed me to converse with directors on a more informed level. When they explain the need to shoot scenes in a particular order or why certain scenes are being filmed today instead of others, I now appreciate their reasoning better. As an actor, there have been instances where I questioned these decisions, thinking they didn’t make sense or would be more advantageous if done differently. However, having directed a film myself, I now realize the logic behind such choices and am more willing to adapt to whatever is asked of me on set. It’s not that I wasn’t flexible before, but I may have privately thought, “This seems odd; I’m unsure why we’re doing it this way.” Now, I understand the rationale behind our methods.
Have you ever had to go through extreme measures to get into a role before, and is this the first time you’ve found yourself nervously biting your nails to help with your character portrayal?
(Laughs.) I’ve been there before, and I’ve even bitten my nails under stress, but this isn’t a new experience for me when it comes to nail-biting. It was something many of us did to embody the characters we were playing. We let ourselves get scruffy. I stopped shaving, we bit our nails, discolored our teeth, and let our hair grow wild. We all had distressed makeup applied. Since we were meant to be starving, we went through the motions of that too. But I must admit, the boys and I really enjoyed it. Every morning was an exciting dive into all that chaos.
In a conversation with Alex Aja, I inquired about the identity of a blonde woman in a Polaroid picture, to which I remarked, “That definitely doesn’t resemble Halle Berry.” His response was a hearty laugh because it turned out to be you.
(Laughs.) Yes! We did our job then.
One of Momma’s sons asked, “Is that really you?” So I take comfort in that.
Yeah, the old world’s Momma was something different. She was something different.
When some actors tend to continue working on similar film types after winning an Oscar, it’s interesting to see that you have consistently switched between various genres instead. This versatility is reminiscent of the strategies employed by other successful artists. Was your genre-hopping a deliberate approach or did you not have a long-term plan?
In essence, throughout my career, I’ve never had the privilege of merely delivering Oscar-worthy performances in any movie. I’m unfamiliar with that concept because the opportunities available to me have often been restricted. My experiences have been shaped by this limitation, which is a stark truth. Winning an Oscar 23 years ago was about more than just accolades; it was about hard work, passion for my craft, growth, and taking risks. I can’t afford to simply bask in the glory of potential Academy Award-winning roles because that wasn’t, and isn’t, my reality.
In your latest character, Sofia, there was a very tight and watchful bond with her two pets, dogs. Given the unforeseeable dog scenario in Never Let Go, wasn’t that an emotional ride for you considering the strong canine connection you established in John Wick: Chapter 3?
Indeed, but not solely due to the movie “John Wick.” I’ve been around dogs throughout my life, always keeping a pair of them, and currently, I have two dogs and two cats. My sons, Percy and Anthony, are fond of animals, and our director, Alex, carried his small dog within his coat every day on set. Thus, we all share a love for animals. The truth is, we postponed filming that scene multiple times. It was almost the penultimate day of shooting because everyone was hesitant about performing it. We knew how challenging it would be, and whenever Alex suggested it, we kept saying “No, we’re not ready.” We simply didn’t want to confront it. That was a difficult concept for my sons to grasp, and as for my character, it was tough to portray authenticity in that scene. So, that day was particularly challenging when we finally had to shoot it.
After exiting “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum”, I expected the fourth film to follow John and Sofia as they worked together to safeguard her daughter. Given that one small action, like aiding John, could jeopardize her daughter’s safety due to the High Table, I wondered if you had envisioned where the story might head in such detail?
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but wish that the storyline we had discussed would’ve unfolded in the John Wick series. It seemed like it could’ve been an exciting twist. We even planted seeds for this plot in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3’. There’s been talk about a spinoff with Lionsgate, and I hope it comes to fruition sooner rather than later. I adore the John Wick universe and can’t get enough of Keanu Reeves as John Wick, so who knows? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Absolutely, as the franchise continues to grow, there’s a possibility that the narrative could be developed further in the future. This suggests that if director Chad Stahelski proposed a spin-off film or miniseries to me, I would definitely listen with interest.
In a heartbeat. I loved that character, and I love Chad.
Recently, I asked some friends which movie they most often associate you with, and my barber and I both mentioned “Swordfish” simultaneously. Some people also suggested “Monster’s Ball,” “Catwoman,” “X-Men,” and “Gothika.” What movie seems to be the most frequently connected when others are approached?
I happen to have a collection that includes “Swordfish”, “Monster’s Ball”, surprisingly enough “Catwoman”, and “B*A*P*S”. Despite their vast differences, these are the films that often spring to mind.
To wrap things up, Tom Hanks mentioned some time ago that working on Cloud Atlas was among his top three filming experiences, largely due to the fact that it represented quite a risky endeavor. Can you understand why he might feel that way?
Absolutely! I can’t forget how incredible that adventure was for everyone involved, and it definitely took us on a significant journey. We had the privilege of embodying various captivating characters, and the message the film conveyed held great weight. Consequently, we all felt a strong sense of responsibility towards the narrative, striving to do justice to Lana and Lilly [Wachowski]’s vision. Truly, it was an unforgettable experience on set.
***
Never Let Go is now playing in movie theaters.
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2024-09-24 22:26